Department of Biology

The Department of Biology offers undergraduate educational programs leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Current Programs of Study can be found below. Programs of Study from prior years can be found in the University Bulletin.

Bachelor of Arts

• Biology (BA) - Designed to prepare students for careers in biology or for studies at the graduate level. This is the most flexible program in the department and is designed for students who want to focus on disciplines not addressed by other degree concentrations.
  • 2024-25 Undergraduate Bulletin

Bachelor of Science Concentrations

• Biology (BS) - Cellular/Molecular Biology - Designed to prepare students for successful admission into professional schools or to continue their studies in graduate and health-care programs. Many students choose this concentration as a pre-medical, pre-veterinary or pre-dental school curriculum.
  • 2024-25 Undergraduate Bulletin

• Biology (BS) - Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology - Students examine the characteristics of ecosystems, their evolution and the greater environment, geared toward those who are interested in outdoor science and preparing for careers or graduate studies. Students work closely with Appalachian's outstanding Environmental Science program to take advantage of all that Appalachian has to offer. 
  • 2024-25 Undergraduate Bulletin

• Biology (BS) - Integrative Biology - This program is geared toward students who are interested in gaining a broad and integrative understanding of biology and allows them the flexibility to explore other complementary disciplines. Learn more about attribute focus area options.
  • 2024-25 Undergraduate Bulletin

• Biology (BS) - Secondary Education - Graduates of this degree meet the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction requirements to teach biology full-time in grades 9-12 and will be eligible for a North Carolina Secondary General Science teaching license.
  • 2024-25 Undergraduate Bulletin

Highly qualified students in any of these concentrations are encouraged to apply to the Biology Honors Program. The Biology Honors Program includes two research courses, an Honors thesis and presentation to the department. Participation in the University Honors Program is not a prerequisite, but students participating in the University Honors Program are welcome. Please contact Dr. Matt Estep for more information on the Biology Honors Program.

In addition to the discipline-specific degrees offered by the department, an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science degree provides a broad and rigorous curriculum in the natural sciences. Students completing this degree will be prepared to enter environmental science positions in industry, business, or government as well as pursue postgraduate studies in various areas of environmental science.

Minor in Biology

• 2024-25 Undergraduate Bulletin: Biology Minor

A Minor in Biology consists of a minimum of 14 semester hours taken in courses numbered 2000 and above.

Our Cellular and Molecular Biology students enjoy excellent laboratory facilities and access to a wide variety of advanced equipment. Students seeking advanced training in the health professions (e.g., medical, dental, veterinary, physician's assistant, and medical technology) often seek degrees in this concentration, and many of our Cell and Molecular Biology graduates also enter outstanding graduate programs in a wide range of lab sciences.

Students in the Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology concentration have access to a wide array of organismal courses that represent a broad spectrum of Earth's biodiversity along with courses that integrate principles of ecology, conservation, systematics and toxicology. Field laboratories take advantage of the widely varying habitats and biodiversity of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Appalachian State University has a tradition of teacher education and the department seeks to extend that mission with renewed emphasis on production of high quality science teachers. Students in our Science Education concentration take a wide range of science courses that combine with professional education courses offered by our specialized science education faculty to prepare students for certification in either Biology or General Science.

All of our undergraduate students have the opportunity for academic credit from travel courses taught by multiple faculty members. Recently, these courses have taken advantage of learning opportunities in locations as diverse as Costa Rica, Vietnam, Australia, Belize, South Africa, and Hawaii.